N. Uttam Kumar Reddy Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL
In an effort to tap untapped natural resources and mitigate flood risks, the state government has taken up the implementation of Munneru-Palair Link Scheme, a gravity irrigation canal/project, using about 50 tmc ft of water every year to stabilize the existing ayacut below Nagarajunasagar, Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Utmar Reddy said.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will lay the foundation stone of the work near Nayakangudem in Khammam district on Sunday. Three districts – Khammam, Suryapet and Mahabubabad – would benefit from the 9.6 km link (gravity) canal. The work is started at an estimated cost of ₹162.54 crore.
A link canal between the existing barrage across the Munnera at Mulkanoor village in Garla mandal of Mahabubabad district and the Palair reservoir is trying to harness about 50 tmc ft of flood water which is severely impacting the low-lying areas along its (Munnera) course. The minister said that since the river flows about 4 meters above the level of the connecting canal bed, any pumping would be needed.
He explained that the link canal would benefit the stabilization of 1.38 lakh acres of ayacut below the Nagarjunasagar left channel in the lower reaches of Palair reservoir in Khammam district and another 40,000 acres upstream of Palair in Suryapet district.
It would also replenish water to 76,300 acres ayacut SRSP Stage-II for Kharif ID (irrigated-dry) under DBM 60 and another 46,700 acres under DBM 71 in Suryapet district. It would also cover 4.7 tmc ft of drinking water for the Bhagiratha Mission in three districts and supplement water for power generation at the existing 2 megawatt hydel power plant in the lower Palair reservoir.
The link canal is designed with a discharge capacity of 4,500 cusecs, which is equivalent to one tmc ft of water for every two-and-a-half-day flow. Another economic benefit of the link canal would be the projected annual savings of ₹120 million in electricity charges under the Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Scheme, which would provide water to others to stabilize the ayacut.
Published – 17 Jan 2026 20:33 IST